Copilot in VS Code: Edit Mode vs. Agent Mode — Know When to Use Each
⚡ TL;DR
- Edit Mode: Precise, controlled AI edits in targeted files. Ideal for small refactors and bug fixes.
- Agent Mode: Autonomous multi-step AI assistant that reads files, runs commands, and iterates until your high-level task is complete. Great for bigger tasks.
- Use Edit for speed and control; Agent for complex, cross-file tasks—but always review changes.
🤖 Understanding Copilot Modes in VS Code
GitHub Copilot Chat offers three modes: Ask, Edit, and Agent. We’ll focus on Edit and Agent—showing how they differ and when to lean on each.
✏️ Edit Mode
- You specify which files Copilot can modify.
- Ideal for targeted tweaks: bug fixes, feature adjustments, refactors.
- Changes are streamed into the editor—you select what to accept or reject.
📝 Example
Prompt:
“Refactor this function to use async/await instead of callbacks.”
Copilot proposes in-place edits in the open file, highlighting diff changes. You review and apply them individually.
✅ Best For:
- Single-file changes
- Controlled refactorings
- Maintaining granular oversight and limiting API usage
🤖 Agent Mode
- Designed to handle multi-step, cross-file tasks.
- Chooses context, proposes edits, runs terminal commands, iterates based on tests or errors.
- Ideal for scaffolding features, refactoring systems, or adding automated tests—with less micromanagement.
📝 Example
Prompt:
“Add unit tests for the UserService, then fix any failing tests.”
Copilot:
- Detects relevant files and code patterns.
- Writes test suite.
- Runs tests.
- Fixes code errors.
- Iterates until tests pass.
All of this done autonomously, with prompts and confirmations.
✅ Best For:
- Big, multi-component tasks
- When you need AI to orchestrate commands and resolve errors
- Automating workflows (e.g. scaffolding, migrations, full feature builds)
⚖️ Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Edit Mode | Agent Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Scope control | Precise, file-level | AI decides context and files |
| Autonomy | No code is added without review | Can run code, tests, terminal tools |
| Best for | Quick refactors, small edits | Complex flows, feature builds |
| Speed | Fast (single request) | Slower (multi-step iterations) |
| Complexity | Low — well-defined tasks | High — open-ended tasks |
🧠 Best Practices
Edit Mode
- Use for bug fixes or single-file refinements.
- Specify file context (e.g.,
#file utils.js). - Review diffs before accepting.
Agent Mode
- Set clear, high-level instructions.
- Enable terminal tools for tests/builds.
- Monitor tool prompts; approve only trusted actions.
- Review final diff and run your review cycle.
- Use custom instructions for team conventions.
🎯 Real Use Case
You’re refactoring an API layer:
- Edit Mode: Rename methods in one file (
userService.ts). - Agent Mode:
- Rewrites service layer code.
- Updates tests.
- Runs
npm test. - Fixes issues, ensures everything passes.
This saves you hours of manual changes and integrations.
🏁 Final Summary
- Edit Mode = precise, developer-in-control edits.
- Agent Mode = intelligent, automated orchestration across files and tools.
Both are powerful—choose based on task complexity, control needs, and trust. Always read the diffs!
💬 What Do You Prefer?
Let us hear from you:
Which Copilot mode is your daily go‑to?
- Edit Mode (manual, granular)
- Agent Mode (automated, big tasks)
- Both, depending on scenario
- I’m still exploring—help me choose!
Share your choice or ask for examples below. Let’s build smarter workflows together 🚀